Ioy in tribulation. Or, Consolations for the afflicted spirits. By Phinees Fletcher, B.D. and minister of Gods Word at Hilgay in Norfolke

CHAP. XXIII. Further confirmation for the weake soule.

EXcellent are these com∣forts (will many a weake∣ly Christian say, who (as yet) is held downe by strength of tentation) singular refreshings and soveraigne cordials, able not onely to cure a sicke, but revive a dead spirit: but, alas,

I have no portion in them. Oh could I feele in my soule this glorious heavenly relati∣on to God, could I by any search finde, by any (but one) good and sure proofe be assu∣red that I were the least of Gods children, the lowest of Christ his members, a living, though never so little stone of that blessed Temple of the holy Spirit, all the discom∣forts of this present world, poverty, losse, contempt, re∣proaches, and scoffes of men should never trouble me. Oh then how cheerefully could I wade through any griefe, any tentation? But woe is mee, I feele my soule snared, chained and enthrald in sinfull fetters. Easily and cleerely I perceive many signes rather of a natu∣rall

estate, stil subject to sinne, and Satan; no power to get up from under my corruptions; but no good signe can I dis∣c••rne, at least no certaine evi∣dence of such an happinesse.

Now indeed it is most true that howsoever these conso∣lations are most approved medicines, yet have they none or not their perfect operation, where either they are not wel and close applied, or (soone after this applying) are rubbed off with some tentation. In the last place therefore it will not be amisse, nay, very expedi∣ent by some few, but apparent notes, and infallible markes of regeneration, to cleere the eyes of an afflicted Spirit, dim∣med and deluded in the mists of Satan.

True it is, that the Adver∣sary, and his Antichristian Po∣pish Teachers wrest, & streine al their wits to perswade men that this assured knowledge of thir election, and salvation by ordinary means is a dangerous (nay so provdly peremptory are they without all warrant) a damnable doctrine, encoura∣ging men to all presūption, & fleshly liberty. Hēce the Coū∣cil of Trent fastens an anathema upon it; & no marvel: For that subtill Serpent knowing well how much labour of love, and even contention in all ho∣ly obedience, what readinesse to serve, and fervour in their service this certainty of Gods favour brought forth in all the Saints; contrarily, what uncheerefulnesse and heart∣lesnesse

in all duty springeth from distrust and doubtful∣nesse, strives with all his might, either utterly to roote out, or much weaken this as∣surance of faith, whereby they hold fast the profession of their hope without wave∣ring.* 1.1 So his false Apostles,* 1.2 de∣ceitfull workers, transforming themselves into the Apostles of Christ, joyne issue with him, as knowing this Doctrine would not only quench their Purgatory, but which is worse, wonderfully coole their kitchin.

In the Epilogue, therefore, and conclusion of this dis∣course, I will very briefly (as in such a subject I may) lay downe and handle these three propositions:

• First, That the faithfull by ordinary revelations may at∣taine the certaine and infalli∣ble perswasion of their salva∣tion by Christ.
• Secondly, That it is a Chri∣stian duty to labour for it.
• Thirdly, That this assu∣rance is the gift of God, which every one of his chil∣dren doe not presently re∣ceive, nor so retaine, but that the sense of it sometimes may faile them.
• And lastly, I will set downe some meanes whereby wee may secure our soules in this assurance of our happinesse, which is the Sunne of al com∣fort: First, then, that a faith∣full Christian may by ordina∣ry, without extraordinarie re∣velations (by visions, Angels,

• &c.) bee fully assured of the life of grace already in his possession, and of glory cer∣tainly reserved for him, will appeare, first, by divers cleare Testimonies of Gods word; secondly, by the examples of the Saints; thirdly, by evi∣dent reason.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Heb. 10.23
• * 1.2

  2 Cor. 11. 13.